Guinas constituency councillor Elias Barney Martinus (51) died this morning after a short illness in Tsumeb. 

The Swapo Party regional coordinator of Oshikoto Region, Armas Amukwiyu, confirmed Martinus' death.

Martinus first served as a party district coordinator of Guinas before he was elected as Guinas constituency regional councillor and eventually elected as a member of the Oshikoto regional council management committee.

His last public engagement was when he attended the Swapo rally in Oshikoto Region over the weekend. 

Amukwiyu described Martinus as a man of high integrity, a committed, dependable, and disciplined party cadre. 

He added that his passing is a huge loss not only to his family but to the Swapo party and the people of the Guinas constituency.